“Not much,” I tell Mac truthfully, with a shrug. I keep my body posture loose and at ease, as I look out the window. “My father prefers the women in our house to not have anything to do with whatever it is you all do.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw, but then he nods. “Reckon that could be a good thing.”
I sigh and respond to him before I can school my mouth and think about what I say. “I suppose if the reason was for protection, I’d agree with you. However, it isn’t that at all, but because he thinks so little of who we are.”
Maybe I said too much.
Mac frowns. “In that case, I take back what I’ve said.”
I can’t help but smile at that. There’s something endearing about it, though I can’t quite understand what or how.
“Do you feel that way?” I ask, in a way a child may fish for a compliment. Already knowing the answer but needing the assurance of hearing him say it.
“What way?”
“That women should be kept ignorant of such things.”
He scowls at the road, and my heart does a little flip.
How can a scowl, that slightest downturn of the lips, affect me so?
“Absolutely not. My sisters and mother are the backbone of our entire family. My brother is the one in charge, though, because he's the clan captain. So he does call the shots. That said, he seeks their counsel, and every decision made is for the good of our entire family, not just the men.” He snorts. “Jesus.”
“Well, then, glad we’re in agreement. Your taste in music might be crap, and you eat meat as if you’re a ravenous dinosaur in danger of extinction, but it’s nice to know we have something we can agree on.”
“Watch it, woman,” he says in a low, warning growl. He puts a hand on my knee and gives me a little squeeze.
“What?” I ask innocently, as my pulse races even faster. He noted how I like a little excitement. I wonder if he knows how badly I crave to be dominated. I give him a sidelong glance, noting his strong, muscled body. If ever there was a man that could dominate me.…
His lips twitch. “Behave yourself.”
He takes a turn down a moonlit road, and I wonder briefly if my bodyguard’s still looking for me. I hope he is, the arsehole.
“It’s gorgeous out here tonight,” I say breathlessly. And God.It is.
The trees are aglow with the light of the full moon, and moonlight glints along a white rock pathway that leads to a small row of houses on a hill.
“Is that your flat up there?” I ask, cocking my head to the side as he pulls into a driveway. This is no small place, but large and airy, one of the most high-end places one could rent.
“Aye,” he says. “I’ve got business in town and sometimes like to have some privacy as well.”
“So do you live with your parents?” My father doesn’t allow anyone to leave his house unless they’re married.
“I don’t exactly, no,” he says, but he doesn’t offer any more details. “Here we are.”
He shuts the ignition off, when my phone buzzes again.
“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head when I pick up my mobile. “I really am.”
“Go on,” he says, gesturing to my bag.
I pull it out, noting a text from a number I’m unfamiliar with.
Unknown:Where the hell are you? You’ll pay for doing this.
My pulse spikes.Who the hell is this?
Bryn:Who is this?
